CCRA Launches TRUE Advantage Mentorship Program and Strategic Partnership with The Travel Institute

FORT WORTH, TEXAS – September 24, 2024 – CCRA Travel Commerce Network today announced the launch of its groundbreaking TRUE Advantage Mentorship Program and a strategic partnership with The Travel Institute, furthering its commitment to professional development in the travel industry. These advancements reflect CCRA’s dedication to empowering travel advisors with the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to succeed in an ever-evolving travel marketplace.

 

TRUE Advantage Mentorship Program

 

The newly launched TRUE Advantage Mentorship Program brings an innovative, personal approach to supplier-advisor relationships. Unlike traditional supplier presentations and marketing-heavy efforts, this mentorship-driven initiative fosters one-on-one connections between suppliers and TRUE Accredited Advisors. Suppliers, including smaller and emerging brands, will have the opportunity to spotlight their offerings through intimate, training-focused engagements with small groups of advisors. The goal is to create deeper, more meaningful relationships between advisors and suppliers, enhancing the advisors’ ability to provide enriched travel experiences to their clients.

 

“TRUE Advantage Mentorship was sparked by feedback from our advisors, who told us how crucial mentorship is in this industry,” said Holly Carrig-Matthews, AVP of TRUE Excellence at CCRA. “This program is designed for more of a one-on-one mentorship relationship. The traditional larger-scale formats we offer work for many and we continue to see many advisors thrive by way of those platforms, but this is an ‘old world meets new’ approach to bring back more of a first-hand mentorship offering that supports both suppliers and advisors on a smaller scale. It’s about creating value for both sides.”

 

This innovative program is particularly attractive to smaller suppliers looking to enter into a meaningful agent conversation, allowing them to engage with CCRA’s TRUE advisors seeking their specialized products in a cost-effective and meaningful way.

 

Strategic Partnership with The Travel Institute

 

Further underscoring its commitment to travel advisor education, CCRA is very pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with The Travel Institute. This partnership enables travel advisors to earn continuing education credits (CEUs) by participating in CCRA’s PowerSolutions LIVE events—regional gatherings designed to equip advisors with the tools and strategies to elevate their businesses.

 

Advisors who attend any of CCRA’s PowerSolutions LIVE events can now earn two CEUs, applicable toward The Travel Institute’s CEU requirement for maintaining Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC), or Certified Industry Travel Executive (CITE) credentials. This partnership brings an added layer of value to CCRA’s PowerSolutions LIVE events, solidifying their status as must-attend gatherings for professional development and industry connection.

 

“Each PowerSolutions LIVE event offers travel advisors a dynamic and interactive platform to build essential relationships, explore premier travel offerings, and discover strategies that will drive their business growth,” said Dic Marxen, President and CEO of CCRA. “These full-day events are free for travel advisors and offer unmatched opportunities for face-to-face supplier training, networking, and now, the chance to earn CEUs through our partnership with The Travel Institute. We couldn’t be more excited to provide this added value to our attendees.”

 

2025 PowerSolutions LIVE Event Schedule

 

Looking ahead, CCRA is thrilled to announce the first two PowerSolutions LIVE events scheduled for 2025:

• PowerSolutions Live Boston – May 8, 2025, at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza
• PowerSolutions Live Philadelphia – December 4, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia – Center City

 

These events are now listed as CEU-approved travel programs on The Travel Institute website, making them even more attractive to advisors looking to fulfill their education requirements while gaining valuable industry insights.

 

CCRA’s PowerSolutions LIVE events are offered on a complimentary basis for travel advisors of all experience levels who are members of TRUE, ARC, IATA, CLIA, and ASTA. Advisors are encouraged to register early to secure their spot at these high-demand events. For event details and registration, visit https://www.ccra.com/powersolutions/.

 

About CCRA

 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, CCRA International, Inc. continues pioneering novel and creative platforms and programs that connect travel professionals and suppliers with the products and services they need to drive revenue, relationships, and brand recognition in the travel marketplace.

 

CCRA features an International Air Division focused on providing access to exclusive international air commissions; a 24/7 Travel Industry Call-Center Division staffed with expert travel advisors; a Membership Services Division that encompasses: the TRUE code agency accreditation and identification program; and a powerful Global Supplier Network that includes PowerSolutions LIVE travel advisor training and supplier networking events. The company is dedicated to sustainability for our planet. For more information, visit www.ccra.com.